Juba, South Sudan
May 6, 2022 — Responding to a statement made by a former detainees, Dr. Biar Ajak, on Kenyan media, South Sudan Information Minister and government official spokesman, Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth, has denied allegations that president Salva Kiir was drunk, intoxicated and sick when he failed to deliver his speech in Nairobi, Kenya, recently.
According to Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth, president Salva Kiir is in “good health”, adding that the president did not undergo a throat or knees surgeries during his recent visit to Dubai as alleged by social media commentators.
President Kiir was among three foreign Heads of State, who attended the state burial of Kenya’s former President, Mwai Kibaki, at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Friday, April 29.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced during the funeral that President Kiir could not read his own speech due to a voice challenge.
As a result, South Sudan’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro, was invited by the host president to relay Kiir’s message.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth assured that the President is in good health and is now in the country.
“President is now in good health and he has recovered from throat challenge”, Government spokesman Makuei told media yesterday.
Hon. Makuei; however, agrees that President Kiir had a short sickness that has now gone and he has recovered.
“If someone is sick, does he not recover? President Kenyatta announced that he (Kiir) was sick and had a problem with his throat. Does it mean the sickness is constant? An ailment comes and goes. It has gone,” he assured.
Makuei also disputed speculations that the president had undergone knee surgery during his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, saying the president was on a working visit to the Gulf country.
“I want to tell the concerned citizens that President Salva Kiir is fine and in good health. He had a small problem with his throat when he was in Nairobi but is now fine and has no problem. He is carrying out his normal duties serving the nation.”, Makuei confirmed.
It is not the first time for public to question the health status of President Kiir. In 2020, some Diaspora based-activist went to conclude that President was no longer alive. But President Kiir came out and addressed the Nation confirming his healthy and further cursed the activists as “witches” for wishing him dead.
In his remark, Dr. Biar Ajak said it was not the first time, the South Sudan president has failed to deliver his speech. He said it happened several times in the past with one occasion in Kenya where he referred to Kenya Vice President as “Madam Ruto” and went on to make an incoherent speech.
